skip to main content

No birdseed or bubbles - what to do?

21 years ago

I'm a bridesmaid trying to help a very stressed-out bride. She is trying to plan a huge (400 guests) wedding with no wedding planner! She has been fine up until now, but the big date is only a month away, and she has run into a snag.

They won't allow people to throw rice or birdseed as the bride and groom come out. No bubbles or rose petals allowed either. She doesn't want bells to ring - went to a wedding where that didn't go over very well.

Got any other ideas? Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

grace3
21 years ago
I was at a wedding just 2 weeks ago wehre they did something I hadn't seen before...

they had small dowels -- smaller in diameter than a pencil, but about 12-15 inches long -- and at the end of each one they tied 5-6 ribbons, all different widths, in the wedding theme colors. These were passed out to the guests, and then after the B&G exited the church they walked through an aisle of fluttering ribbons as the guests "waved" their sticks.

If you decide to try this, I would suggest that you experiment with the lengths of the ribbons. I don't think the ribbons at the wedding I was at were quite long enough. On the other hand, though, you wouldn't want them *too* long, either. And you probably want to experiement with the length of the dowels, too, since you wouldn't want any injuries!
sheilajoyce_gw
21 years ago
I like the ribboned dowels idea, but I'd give them to adults only.

Here's another thought. Make an aisle of helium balloons in the wedding colors by tying one or a few to a weight. (They wrap a brick or weight or rocks in mylar wrapping paper here and tie the balloon string to the weight.) Then towards the end of the ceremony, have a volunteer line up the balloons down the steps of the church and along the walkway for a colorful exit. Keep in mind that the balloons need to be far enough away from each other that they will not tangle their strings in the wind. Also, if they are in the sun for very long, the balloons lose their shine. Or you could contract with one of those baloon companies to make a tall balloon arch.
Related Discussions
Let's talk about birdseed
Q
Comments (6)
Ditto most of what woodyoak posted above. I have several feeders, two of which hang from the branches of a crabapple tree and one which is free-standing mounted at the top of an aluminum pipe. Squirrels and chipmunks actively graze the area below the feeders and eat spilled seeds. As noted above, the lawnmower keeps anything that sprouts in the grass under control. None of my feeders hang above a garden bed but if they did, I'd just pull up the unwanted seedlings rather than disturb my perennials. Chances are they don't have an established root system and should pull up easily. My garden beds are heavily mulched with shredded pine bark spread over layers of corrugated cardboard which suppresses nearly 90% of weeds.
...See More
Birdseed Wreath
Q
Comments (15)
I make mine with egg whites and birdseed. I think (it's been awhile) I whip 4 egg whites to the frothy stage and pour over 2 cups of birdseed. It looks slushy. Pour into a ring mold that has been sprayed with Pam. Drop it a few inches over the counter a few times to bring all air bubbles to the top and break up the foam that forms at the ring's edge with a tooth pick. Put it, uncovered, in the microwave and cook on high about 5 minutes. Let cool and check for firmness. Cook longer until it's hard enough to handle. I had to experiment with times for my microwave. Once completely cool, unmold and decorate with ribbon and a bow. They last for months. The birdseed on the edges tends to chip off if you handle it a lot, but if you set it into a box surrounded by a bed of tissue paper, it should keep well as a gift. Once hung outside it holds up well until the birds eat the part that's supported by the hanging ribbon, then it falls in pieces onto the ground. And if it rains, kiss it goodbye completely! Here's another recipe I tried. I couldn't get the bells to hang straight and it made me crazy. I like the wreaths better. BIRD SEED BELLS Materials small terracotta clay pots microwave-safe plastic wrap or plastic oven bag length of firm wire (coat-hanger type is fine) birdseed of your choice (measure it dry in your chosen pots to gauge amount needed) two egg whites per cup of birdseed (or thereabouts) Method Beat egg whites until white and fluffy, but still liquid - you're not making a meringue. Prepare pots by lining them with microwave-safe wrap or oven bag. Bend the end of the wire that goes into the seed bell into a closed loop (so that birds, or leg rings can't get caught on it when most of the bell has been eaten). Mix beaten egg whites and bird seed in a bowl until all seed is coated, then spoon the mix into the prepared pots, patting it down firmly. Push the uncoiled end of the wire through center of mix in pot then out of the drainage hole until looped end rests flat on top of the mixture, then push loop slightly into mixture. Place on an oven shelf set high enough to allow wire to hang free. Cook for approximately 60 to 90 minutes in a very cool oven or longer if pots are larger size. The important thing is not to burn the mixture and slow cooking is needed to set it firmly. Cooked bells will slip easily from pots, peel away the plastic wrap while they're still warm but don't handle the wire until it has cooled. Using a pair of pliers, twist exposed wire end to form a hook for hanging in the aviary. Sometimes if you use large seeds in your mixture, the widest part of the bell which is exposed during cooking will become slightly crumbly. This only happens for a half-inch or two, but if they are to be given away, and you want a less "rustic" appearance, just spoon the mixture into the pot as usual but mix another beaten egg white with seeds of last few inches and cook as instructed above. This extra "adhesive" keeps the top layer very firm.
...See More
Make your own cake pans - birdseed frames
Q
Comments (3)
I have the original clipping somewhere I'll see if I can find it. It might be a good idea for the bottom to extend it up and over the sides to make sure nothing spills out I think the bone idea is great !!
...See More
birdseed wreath
Q
Comments (28)
Here is a great recipe that holds up well for gift giving: Melt 1 package of gelatin in 1/2 cup of hot water over heat, stirring until clear. Add 3 Tablespoons of light corn syrup. Remove from heat and stir in 3/4 cups of flour to make a paste. Add paste to 4 cups of birdseed and stir well to combine - best to use your hands (careful, it might still be hot!). Wet your hands to make the mixture easier to handle, but take care to not add too much water to the mixture or it will fall apart. Make into whatever shape you desire. Let dry on a cooling rack for two days. I used this recipe to make bird shaped ornaments with a cookie cutter. After cutting out the bird shape, I smashed a string inside for hanging. Enjoy!
...See More
User
21 years ago
Or they could exit to the sound of thunderous applause and big smiles from all their guests.
talley_sue_nyc
21 years ago
Or trumpets; a cousin of mine did that.

But really, I'm w/ dian57--just the natural, spontaneous applause of the folks who love them.
row1
21 years ago
we did bells at our wedding. it was really cool. my mom went by a hobby store and bought enough bells for each reception guest. then, bought ribbon in our wedding colors and tied this on each bell. she enlisted a couple kids to help distribute these as the time came for my bride and me to depart the reception. as we left, we saw everyone joyously ringing the bells. that is a beautiful memory for us.

the bells came out well in wedding pics - better than bird seed or bubbles.

no clean-up required.

the bell was each guest's little gift - if i had thought of this sooner than 4 days befoer the wedding, i could have arranged names and date on ribbon.

not very expensive.

the only trick is getting people to hold off on the ringing until the couple departs. we didn't really hear bells being rung early because we were dealing with luggage confusion (the wonderful wedding planner was working on the day's next wedding).
Twinkle
Original Author
21 years ago
Thanks to all who replied. The bride has decided: thunderous applause and big smiles.

I think she's gotten to the point where she just doesn't want to deal with anything else.
scarlett2001
21 years ago
400 guests and no wedding planner?? What is she thinking??
mindy_sue
20 years ago
How about releasing some butterflies? Look under "butterfly wedding favors" or something like that - in one of the search engines.

Related Stories

40 Fun Gifts for Your Pet-Loving Friends

By Becky Harris

Houzz Gift Guide: 40 New Ways to Love Dogs, Cats and Birds in Style

Sponsored